Nomura thinks gold prices have reached a near-term equilibrium, making it a good time to try for a bounce in gold mining stocks (GDX). As a result, its analysts upgrade Randgold (GOLD-6%) to Neutral from Reduce, African Barrick to Buy from Reduce, and Polymetal to Buy from Neutral. But the firm doesn't expect the good times to last, as it sees sellers dominating again by Q4 and sending gold prices down.

As cheaper gold makes South African mines unprofitable to operate, Goldman Sachs slaps Sell ratings on AngloGold (AU-1.2%) and Sibanye (SBGL-5.1%) due to their high exposure to the country. The firm also thinks attempts to reduce costs by reducing labor or closing mines could be met with strikes or government interference. Goldman's best rating - Neutral - is saved for Randgold (GOLD-0.2%).

Gold miners (GDX) have been smacked by plunging gold prices, but Citigroup and HSBC think they have further to fall. Citi worries about AngloGold (AU) because negative free cash flow would hit its "already stretched balance sheet," but Harmony Gold (HMY) has the balance sheet to weather similar problems; Gold Fields (GFI) is its sector favorite. HSBC cuts GFI, Agnico Eagle (AEM) and many others.

"The next fad is going to be the unbundling of the majors," says Randgold Resources (GOLD) CEO Mark Bristow, as the spend-happy gold miners now look to shed assets. Some hope for an unbundling of value similar to that of the oil majors spinning off their refinery and other assets. Keep an eye on John Paulson's efforts to break-up AngloGold (AU). GDX-19.3% YTD.